Free program has served 23,750 children
Fort Wayne, Ind--Today marked the successful completion of the Lifetime Sports Academy’s 17th summer with more than 1,000 participants this year and a total of 23,750 participants over the last 17 years. Group lessons in the lifetime sports of golf, tennis and swimming were offered to boys and girls, ages 8 – 18.
Lessons focused on skill development. Each year, the Parks and Recreation Department provides certified coaching and highly trained professionals who direct lessons in swimming, tennis and golf. Offering instruction in three sports has been a successful formula throughout the years. The Lifetime Sport Academy has developed a solid reputation and attracts a huge number of kids each summer.
This year, the following numbers of lessons were given: 2,300 golf lessons, 1,300 tennis lessons and 1,400 swim lessons. Participants have the opportunity to earn new tennis rackets, golf clubs, and more. Over 100 rackets and 50 sets of golf clubs were earned.
Since its beginning in 1998, Lifetime Sports Academy has awarded more than 1,670 tennis rackets and close to 1,225 sets of golf clubs to participants who passed their skills tests.
Also during the program, the Tom Jehl LSA Scholarship to the University of Saint Francis was awarded to Kim Guise. This scholarship is awarded to new students entering the University of Saint Francis that have participated in the Lifetime Sports Academy and have actively volunteered in the community.
“The Academy would not exist without the generous support of its co-chairs Jerry Fox and Doug McKibben, and the community who have made it a tradition at McMillen Park to offer these free lessons to local children,” said Parks & Recreation Director Al Moll.
For more information about the Lifetime Sports Academy, call the Parks and Recreation Department at 427-6000 or log on to www.fortwayneparks.org.
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